Witchachar Star Stamps His Remarkable Rise in Warrnambool Cup

Mark Smith - Thursday May 5

After winning two of seventeen starts, 6yo gelding Witchachar Star transferred to Chris Hyland, and the transformation has been spectacular.

In seven starts for his new stable, the son of Myboycharlie (IRE) has five wins and two thirds, culminating in a breathtaking success in Thursday’s $300,000 Listed Sungold Milk Warrnambool Cup (2350m).

Witchachar Star in the form of his life (image Brett Holburt/Racing photos)

With the field strung out over 50 lengths on the heavy track, Witchachar Star came with a sweeping run down the centre of the track under Beau Mertens to defeat the well-backed Nerve Not Verve (Shocking) by lone and a quarter lengths with the one-time Melbourne Cup favourite Constantinople (Galileo) a further six lengths back in third.

Advertisement

“He has just kept improving. We aimed low to get his confidence up, but he has exceeded our expectations,” Hyland said.

“His first win at Sandown, he smoked up too early like that, but he was travelling much better than anything.

“When that horse (Nerve Not Verve) came at him in the straight, I was a bit worried, but I think when you watch the replay, he had them covered, and I was worried about nothing.

“I leave it to Beau every time, and he has done a fantastic job.”

Thumbs up from Chris Hyland (image Brett Holburt/Racing Photos)

Witchachar Star advances his record to seven wins, one second and five thirds from 24 starts with earnings of $356,325.

He is the best of two winners from as many to race out of the Galileo (IRE) mare Witchuponastar, a half-sister to Listed winner Spinnawitch (Country Reel), who placed in the Adrian Knox Stakes and Keith F Nolan Classic.

Witchuponastar has a 2yo colt by Hualalai but has had no return for the last two years.

Witchachar Star becomes the 27th stakes winner for former Vinery Stud and Bowness Stud shuttler Myboycharlie (IRE), who now stands at TJK Karacabey Boarding Stud, Turkey. 

Advertisment

Race Result - Sungold Milk Warrnambool Cup LR 2350m

Warrnambool Track: Heavy(10) Time: 2:36.39
1
Witchachar Star
- 6g Myboycharlie (IRE) x Witchuponastar (AUS) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: C F Hyland Rdr: Beau Mertens 54
2
1.3
Nerve Not Verve
- 6m Shocking (AUS) x Bilancia (NZ) (Montjeu (IRE))
Tnr: M D Moroney Rdr: Regan Bayliss 55.5
3
7.3
Constantinople
- 6g Galileo (IRE) x One Moment In Time (IRE) (Danehill (USA))
Tnr: Aaron Purcell Rdr: Ms L J Meech 54
4
8.7
Queen Takes King
- 5m Charm Spirit (IRE) x Egeria (IRE) (Daylami (IRE))
Tnr: L Smith Rdr: Declan Bates 54
5
8.8
Grandslam
- 4g Myboycharlie (IRE) x Mine Game (AUS) (General Nediym (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Jamie Kah 57
6
9.2
Warning
- 5g Declaration Of War (USA) x Livia (AUS) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: A & S Freedman Rdr: John Allen 60.5
7
13.2
Maserartie Bay
- 5g Artie Schiller (USA) x Navica (AUS) (Snowland (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Teodore Nugent 54
8
14.7
White Hawk
- 8g Tough Speed (USA) x White Yard (AUS) (Partners Choice (USA))
Tnr: Angela Brakey Rdr: M Ulucinar 54
9
44.7
Angel Rock
- 5m Rock Hero (AUS) x Speed Queen (AUS) (Hussonet (USA))
Tnr: Tom Dabernig Rdr: H Coffey 54
10
50.7
Future Score
- 7g Cape Cross (IRE) x Theola (IRE) (Kalanisi (IRE))
Tnr: Matthew Cumani Rdr: Fred W Kersley 55
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Tuesday October 21
Here is the full list of 15 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
TBA Mourn Passing of So You Think
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) and Aushorse join the wider industry in mourning the passing of So You Think, one of the modern greats of the Australian turf and a truly elite sire.
G1 Champions Mile Next for Ceolwulf
Trainer Joe Pride will likely keep stable star Ceolwulf to a mile as he looks to round off his spring campaign with a first trip away.
Cambridge Stud Celebrate Ceolwulf Victory
Homebred Ceolwulf’s successful defence of his Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) title ensured Cambridge Stud celebrated a top day at Randwick.
Inglis Digital - Darby Swoop on Amazing Eagle for $310,000
Scott Darby believes today’s Inglis Digital sale-topper Amazing Eagle (Capitalist) can continue along the same successful mould as the likes of former online Darby acquisitions Robusto, Caballus and Imperial Force and progress on to become a future racetrack star.
First Win for $2.1million Magic Millions Sale-Topper
It was a full-circle moment for Te Akau Racing at Te Aroha on Wednesday when Avantaggia, the filly that topped the 2024 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, broke through for her maiden win in the Donaghys Moxipor (1150m).
Henry Longfellow Pedigree Gets an Update
Group I winning Dubawi stallion Henry Longfellow (IRE) is covering his first Australian book of mares at Rosemont Stud this spring and overnight in Ireland his two year-old sister-in-blood landed her first Group race win.
Pier Headed to Melbourne
Following his pleasing third placing in last Saturday’s A$5 million Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1609m) at Randwick, trainers Darryn and Briar Weatherley have decided to head south with Pier to test his talent in Melbourne.
NZB Ready to Run Breeze Ups Complete for 2025
The final day of NZB’s 2025 Ready to Run Sale Breeze Ups saw a further 202 two-year-olds gallop down the home straight at Te Rapa Racecourse.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Hawkesbury
A lone 2YO went around in an 800m trial for two and three year-olds at Hawkesbury on Tuesday and the Snitzel colt won in good style carrying the Mulberry Racing colours.